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The Roman Empire was the greatest and most powerful empire in the ancient world. The Romans are a people who have deep roots in this modern-day Italian city.
See the fact file below for more information on Romans, or you can download our 29-page Romans worksheet pack to utilize within the classroom or home environment.
Key Facts & Information
ROMAN HISTORY
- Beginning in the eighth century BCE, Ancient Rome developed from a small settlement on the Tiber River in the center of Italy into an empire that, at its height, controlled the majority of continental Europe, Britain, much of western Asia, northern Africa, and the Mediterranean islands.
- On the other hand, according to mythology, Rome is said to be established in 753 BCE by the twins Romulus and Remus, the offspring of the god of war, Mars.
- The twins survived to overthrow the king of neighboring Alba Longa and create their own city on the banks of the Tiber in 753 BCE after being abandoned in a basket on the Tiber and saved by a she-wolf.
- Romulus, who named the city, rose to power by murdering his brother to become the first king of Rome.
THE ROMAN EMPIRE
- Following the rise and fall of Julius Caesar in the first century BCE, Rome, which had been a republic for 450 years, was transformed into an empire.
- In contrast to the Roman Empire’s collapse and fall by the fifth century CE, the Roman Republic changed its name to the Roman Empire in 27 BCE when Augustus, Julius Caesar’s adopted son, assumed power.
- Augustus developed an autocratic system of administration in which he acted as the only leader and the final arbiter of all major issues.
- Even though Augustus significantly changed how the Roman state was run, the lives of the Romans didn’t change all that much. Structures in society and the economy were not significantly altered by Augustus’ reforms.
- Although his extensive building initiatives and expanded foreign trade provided the Roman population with products, information, and amusement, these changes can be seen as the populace substituting the emperor for their previous noble patrons. In other words, the emperor rose to the status of being the protector of the Roman people.
ROMAN LIFESTYLE
Roman culture is seen in the works of art, literature, and historical buildings where they held sporting events and other activities for the enjoyment of their inhabitants.
ROMAN FASHION
- Fashion – For men and boys, the typical article of clothing in ancient Rome was a knee-length tunic with short or no sleeves, and for women and girls, a longer tunic with typical sleeves.
- Adult male citizens might don a woolen toga over their tunic for formal events, while married women wore a woolen palla over a stola, a straightforward, long-sleeved, voluminous garment that hung to mid-calf.
- Gender, status, rank, and social class were indicated through the clothing, accessories, and footwear worn. This was particularly clear in the distinctive, privileged official attire worn by judges, clergy, and members of the military.
ROMAN ARTS
- Roman art used a variety of mediums. The Romans had a significant influence and were frequently copied in sculpture, coin art, fine jewelry, metalwork, perspective drawing, and other media.
- The walls of residences, villas, and public structures were decorated with images from daily life and adorned with sculptures. Rich Romans portrayed themselves or their ancestors in life-like representations.
- The Romans were also heavily influenced by the Greeks evident in terms of architecture apparent in the use of columns and decorative structures.
ROMAN LITERATURE
- As early as the third century BCE, Romans produced many literary works. They penned speeches, letters, histories, and poems. They spoke Greek in addition to Latin as their primary language. The most well-known form of Roman literature was poetry.
- The “Aeneid,” Rome’s national epic, poem was written by Virgil.
- The greatest plays written by Rome’s most renowned playwright, Seneca the Younger, were lyrical and satirical. Furthermore, poets Horace, Ovid, and Lucan all existed.
- After they conquered Greece, the Romans developed an interest in philosophy.
- Cicero was an academic skeptic, not a Stoic, despite his general sympathy for Stoic philosophy. Philosophers who practiced stoicism emphasized reason, logic, and rationality as well as the idea that instead of wasting time on things that aren’t truly important, people should make good use of their time in order to make the world a better place.
- Marcus Aurelius, Seneca, and Cicero were a few of the most well-known philosophers of classical Rome. Marcus Aurelius, a Roman emperor and adherent of the Stoic school of thought, is well-known for his philosophical reflections.
ROMAN ENTERTAINMENT
- Riding, fencing, wrestling, throwing, and swimming were activities that all men in Rome enjoyed.
- Men spent their time in the country hunting, fishing, and playing ball at home. Among the many throwing and catching games played, one of the most popular involved tossing a ball as high as possible and catching it before it struck the ground.
ROMAN SOCIETY
- In Roman Society, Roman aristocrats were referred to as patricians. The Roman Republic was governed by two consuls, or leaders, who held the top offices in the government.
- These consuls were chosen by a patrician-dominated senate. Plebeians, or lower-class people, had very little influence over the government.
- Additionally, Ancient Rome’s social system was founded on inheritance, property, money, citizenship, and freedom.
- It was also centered on men; for example, women’s social standing was determined by that of their spouses or fathers. Few women had any genuine independence because they were expected to take care of the household.
ROMAN ECONOMY
- The Roman Empire shared many characteristics with the previous Near Eastern, Greek, and Hellenistic economies, including urbanization, taxation, market transactions, and slavery.
- Since the majority of people worked in agriculture, one of the main factors limiting population and economic expansion was the amount of surplus agriculture that was available.
- Roman landowners, farm laborers, and small tenant farmers relied heavily on one another to keep the agrarian-based Roman economy stable. By examining the established property rights of the Roman government, particularly the laws governing land tenure and the contracts between wealthy landowners and the tenant farmers they rented their land to.
ROMAN DEMOGRAPHICS AND RELIGION
- The Roman Empire had between 59 and 76 million people living there in the first and second centuries.
- The Antonine Plague probably coincided with the demographic peak. The population is said to have peaked at 75 million people, with a density of around 20 people per square kilometer.
- People in the Roman Empire primarily practiced polytheism, which meant they acknowledged and revered numerous gods and goddesses.
- Even though the Roman Empire was home to monotheistic religions like early Christianity and Judaism, the Romans nonetheless revered a number of gods.
ROMAN TERRITORIES
- Rome was a small city-state on the Italian peninsula in 500 BCE. The Roman Republic had already conquered Italy by 200 BCE, and over the next two centuries, it also took control of Greece, Spain, much of the Middle East, modern-day France, and even the isolated island of Britain.
- The Roman Empire reached its greatest extent between Britain in the northwest and Egypt in the southeast, circa 100 CE.
- Under Trajan’s rule in 117 CE, the Roman Empire attained its maximum size. It was separated into provinces for administrative purposes.
- As territories were gained or lost, and larger provinces were split into smaller ones, the number of provinces fluctuated over time. Under Trajan’s rule, there were 46 provinces, and by Diocletian’s time, there were 96.
- The empire’s financial situation deteriorated, making it more open to attack. Its grip over what was supposedly Roman territory was becoming increasingly unstable as it went without the tax funds it needed to establish a substantial force.
- In 476 CE. Odoacer, a Germanic warlord, deposed Romulus, the final Western Roman emperor, making him the first Barbarian to reign Rome. For a thousand years, the Roman Empire maintained order throughout Western Europe.
ROMAN ACHIEVEMENTS
- Over 1,000 years in power over the majority of Europe.
- The strength of the Roman Legion was considered the strongest army in ancient history.
- Founding fathers of many cities: e.g. London (UK) from Londinium and Cologne (Germany) from Colonia Agrippina.
- Latin – is a language that is still known today.
- Architecture – the Colosseum, temples, bathhouses, aqueducts, roads, walls, theaters, temples, arches, cities, and palaces have remnants still seen today.
Roman Worksheets
This fantastic bundle includes everything you need to know about The Romans across 29 in-depth pages. These ready-to-use worksheets are perfect for teaching kids about The Romans. The Roman Empire was the greatest and most powerful empire in the ancient world. The Romans are a people who have deep roots in this modern-day Italian city.
Complete List of Included Worksheets
- Romans Facts
- Ancient Roman Timeline
- Symbols of Rome
- Roman Mythology
- Roman Architecture
- Brilliant Roman Minds
- Roman Numerals
- Roman Arts
- Poem for the Romans
- The Ancient Roman
- Rome Today
Frequently Asked Questions
Who were the Romans?
The Romans were a powerful ancient civilization that emerged in Italy around 753 BC. They conquered much of Europe, the Mediterranean, and parts of Asia and Africa, building one of the most influential and enduring empires in history.
What were some of the major achievements of the Romans?
The Romans made significant contributions to the fields of engineering, law, politics, and culture. Some of their major achievements include the construction of impressive buildings and infrastructure, such as aqueducts and roads, the establishment of a legal system that influenced modern law, and the creation of an extensive network of trade and commerce.
Who were some famous Roman leaders?
Some of the most famous Roman leaders include Julius Caesar, Augustus, Marcus Aurelius, and Constantine the Great. These leaders played pivotal roles in shaping Roman history, expanding the empire, and leaving a lasting impact on the world.
What caused the fall of the Roman Empire?
The fall of the Roman Empire was a gradual process that took place over several centuries. Some factors that contributed to its decline include economic instability, military overextension, political corruption, and invasion by barbarian tribes.
What was life like for the average Roman citizen?
Life for the average Roman citizen was largely dependent on their social class. Wealthy citizens enjoyed a comfortable lifestyle with access to luxurious amenities, while the working class struggled to make ends meet. Slavery was also a prominent feature of Roman society, with slaves serving as domestic workers, laborers, and soldiers. Despite these disparities, the Romans shared a common language and culture that helped to unify the empire.
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